Tills don't jingle this Christmas

Santa just couldn't get past the police barricades, so tills didn't ring in the Delhi's business district this Christmas.

Santa just couldn't get past the police barricades, so tills didn't ring in the Delhi's business district this Christmas.

With central Delhi locked down for three days in a row, business in Connaught Place and Khan Market, which are normally packed with shoppers this time of the year, has taken a hit.

"The business is down 50%. We get a large number of orders each year but this time, many people have cancelled. They simply can't come to CP to pick up orders," said Charanjeet Singh, manager, Wenger's.

The confectioner's Christmas cakes, and Yule logs are much-sought after but Metro and traffic restrictions have taken away a big slice of the business.

The crowd was thin too, with the CP Inner Circle wearing a deserted look till late afternoon on Tuesday.

Christmas cheer was missing from Khan Market, the tony shopping district popular with the expats, as well.

"People are not ready to leave their homes because of the lockdown. The festive season is the best time of the year for us, but this year it has been bad. Profits are down by 40% to 50%," said Sanjiv Mehra, president, Khan Market Traders' Association.

Last week, the market was almost out of bounds for shoppers, with VIP movement during the Asean Summit restricting traffic flow.